In 1971, China restored its lawful seat in the UN and began to play a more active role in international affairs. After reform and opening up began in 1978, China gradually increased its involvement in UN peacekeeping affairs. Since China participated in the UN peacekeeping operations (UNPKOs) in 1990, China’s armed forces have engaged in the UNPKOs with courage and determination, always aspiring to fulfill their missions of meeting the responsibilities of a major country, safeguarding world peace, and contributing to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. China’s Blue Helmets have become a key force in UN peacekeeping.
China's armed forces participate in the UNPKOs, because the pursuit of peace is in the genes of the Chinese nation; because the Chinese people care about the wellbeing of humanity; because serving the people is the fundamental purpose of the people's armed forces; and because China honors its responsibilities as a major country! China’s armed forces have resolutely delivered on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and made a positive contribution to world peace and common development, standing fast as a disciplined force for peace and justice.
In April 1990,China's armed forces dispatched five military observers to the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) and embarked on a new voyage as a participant in the UNPKOs. Over the past 30 years, over 50000 Chinese military peacekeepers have been sent to 25 UN missions, serving in engineer, medical, transport, helicopter, force protection and infantry units, and as staff officers, military observers and seconded officers.
Over the past 30 years, Chinese military peacekeepers have left their footprints in over 20 countries and regions including Cambodia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Liberia, Sudan, Lebanon, Cyprus, South Sudan, Mali, and the Central African Republic. They have made a tremendous contribution to facilitating the peaceful settlement of disputes, safeguarding regional security and stability, and promoting economic and social development in host nations. Sixteen Chinese military peacekeepers have sacrificed their lives for the noble cause of peace.
On September 28, 2015, President Xi Jinping addressed the Leaders' Summit on Peacekeeping at UN headquarters (UNHQ) and announced six measures that China would take to support UN peacekeeping. The Chinese government and armed forces have faithfully implemented the decisions and directions of President Xi Jinping, and taken concrete steps to honor their promises. Important progress has been made over the past five years.
China's armed forces have cooperated on peacekeeping with over 90 countries and 10 international and regional organizations. They have enhanced mutual understanding, shared experience, extended practical cooperation, strengthened bilateral and multilateral relations, and promoted peacekeeping capability through exchange of visits, expert discussions, joint exercises and training, and personnel training.
Now, the combined forces of changes and a pandemic both unseen in a century have brought the world into a phase of fluidity and transformation. Instability and uncertainty are clearly on the rise. Faced with mounting risks and challenges, China is ready to join hands with all peace-loving nations to champion and pursue multilateralism, uphold the international system centered on the UN and the basic norms of international relations underpinned by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and will exert itself in building a community with a shared future for mankind. China will always strive to maintain world peace, promote global growth, and uphold international order. China’s armed forces will always be a force of justice for world peace and development.
